Horrid King Assassin Bug (Psytalla horrida)

Psytalla horrida

The Psytalla horrida, known as the Horrid King Assassin Bug. It is the Platymeris' rainforest cousin, larger (up to 2 inches) and definitely more frightening. 'Horrida' refers to the showy crown-shaped spines on the thorax. It is matte black with an abdomen bordered by showy red or orange spots and powerful legs. Unlike P. biguttatus which loves arid environments, this species inhabits humid African forests and demands constantly wet substrates. They maintain the identical social predation behavior (they assault giant insects in packs) and the identical venomous lethality: the rostrum injects digestive enzymes causing inhuman pain to man and they can spray acid in the eyes with millimeter precision. Breeding only for very cautious extremist enthusiasts.